Chapter 3 The Night Everything Changed

That afternoon, Cecilia came by as usual to bring me some water, but she looked unusually flustered. "Ellie, I think I just saw Silas hanging around outside the practice rooms. There was something really unsettling about the way he was looking around."

My heart skipped a beat. Silas had kept his distance for a while after Cecilia talked him into leaving me alone last time. I hadn't expected him to show up again.

Cecilia took my hand, her voice soothing. "Don't be scared, Ellie. I'll take you out through the back door so we can avoid him. The finals are what matter right now. There's no need to invite trouble when you're so close to the finish line."

I looked at her gratefully. For a moment, I even wondered if I'd been wrong to suspect her before.

After gathering my sheet music, I followed her quietly out through the back entrance of the practice building. It was indeed secluded, and hardly anyone ever used that path.

"Go home and get some proper rest, Ellie. You need to be in top form for the finals. I'll lock up the practice room for you so you don't leave anything behind," Cecilia said considerately.

Suspecting nothing, I handed her the key and went home alone.

The next day, I returned to the practice room full of confidence, ready to make one final push before the competition. Instead, I discovered that everything I'd prepared for the event had vanished.

Months of hard work were gone. Worst of all, the one-of-a-kind backing track I'd specially arranged for the finals was missing.

I searched frantically, turning the place upside down, but found nothing.

When I called Cecilia, she answered in a tearful voice. "Ellie, I locked the door before leaving yesterday. Are you sure you didn't put everything somewhere else and forget? Could it have been Silas? He seemed to be hanging around the area yesterday."

With only three days left before the finals, I couldn't prepare everything again in time. I broke down in tears and was ultimately forced to withdraw from the competition.

My music teacher was deeply disappointed, and my parents were even more upset. They thought I'd let everyone down at the most crucial moment and that my psychological resilience was simply too poor. Meanwhile, Cecilia stood beside me with red-rimmed eyes, comforting me and directing all the blame toward Silas.

I didn't even have a chance to defend myself. Every piece of evidence seemed to point to an unfortunate accident.

It was the first time I'd experienced the agony of having something to say but being unable to get the words out. My dream had only just begun to spread its wings when an invisible hand ruthlessly snapped them.

After that, I spent a long time in a state of despair.

The SATs were approaching. My academic grades had never been particularly good, and with my path into music seemingly blocked, my future looked bleak. Unexpectedly, Cecilia caught the attention of a music conservatory professor who visited our school.

The professor said that although her technique wasn't exceptional, her performances were emotionally sincere and showed considerable potential. He was willing to give her an opportunity to take the conservatory's special admissions exam.

My parents were overjoyed. They poured all their resources and attention into Cecilia, as though I were the underachieving adopted daughter and she was their biological child, the one destined to bring honor to the family.

The balance in our household tipped completely in her favor. I grew increasingly withdrawn and short-tempered, and my clashes with my parents became more frequent.

Cecilia, meanwhile, always seemed to appear at just the right moment, gently stepping in to mediate. Every time, she managed to convince my parents that she was considerate and understood the bigger picture, while I was an ungrateful, unreasonable girl who refused to appreciate anything.

The night before the SATs, I had another explosive argument with my parents over my college applications. Seething with anger, I stormed out and went to visit my vocal coach. He wasn't just my teacher; he was also my friend, and he had always believed in me.

I'd told Cecilia where I was going and asked her to let our parents know that I'd be back later. But the moment I reached the entrance to the alley near my teacher's home, Silas and several of his friends blocked my way.

Reeking of alcohol, his eyes wild with madness, Silas sneered at me. "Eliana Kessler, who the hell are you trying to fool with that innocent act? Cecilia told me everything. You actually like me, don't you? You're just too embarrassed to admit it! Don't worry. Tonight, my buddies and I will help you loosen up!"

Terror consumed me.

I struggled desperately and screamed for help. Fortunately, my teacher heard the commotion and rushed outside, frightening Silas and his friends into fleeing.

…

With my clothes disheveled and still shaking from the ordeal, I returned home, only to be greeted by my parents' furious faces and Cecilia's horrified expression.

"Eliana Kessler!" Dad roared, trembling with rage. "You went out in the middle of the night to meet Silas Crowe? Have you no shame?"

"That's not what happened, Dad! I was going to my teacher's house, but Silas…"